Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle Editor
Every year, new international students are subjected to culture shock and the many confusing quirks and traditions the United States has. Many will be leaving Western with the rest of us after Spring Term. To those students, hopefully your adjustment has been easy and you’ve learned a lot about the community since your arrival. For those that haven’t already, here’s a few more essential experiences to add to your to-do list before you leave.
Visit a natural landmark. The United States is full of beautiful landscapes, and you don’t have to go far to find one. Wherever you’re from, there’s bound to be something new to explore; Oregon contains mountains, rainforests, coasts and deserts.
Go to a festival or fair. There’s always plenty of good celebrations; spring and summer will bring music festivals, county fairs, rodeos and other festivities to the area.
Try different food. Our communities are various combinations of different cultures, and as a result you can find just about any kind of food here, from Chinese cuisine to Mexican dishes to Irish pubs. While most of these have been heavily adapted, there’s a few hidden gems that could be considered authentic. We know you’re already branching out quite a bit by moving far from home, but why not try a little extra something new?
Visit a big city. Western is a great place to learn, but it’s a relatively small sample size of both the United States and Oregon. Where better a place is there to learn about people of a new culture than a place where there’s a lot of them? Big cities are also usually home to many cultural hubs, such as famous icons, like the Space Needle.
If the opportunity arises, attend a tailgate. According to Culture Trip, this tradition, along with our enthusiasm for college sports, is largely unique to the United States. There may not be many opportunities left until fall, since it usually occurs during football season, but sometimes tailgating before other events, like baseball, will happen. While you’re at it, consider attending a game, whether at Western or elsewhere. Many people certainly have an enthusiasm for their team, and it makes sporting events an experience, not just an observation.
Attend commencement, even if you’re not graduating. According to dailyinfographic.com, some countries like the UK have similar traditions, but some have none at all or traditions that are very different. While it can sometimes last several hours, it’s a way to celebrate the success of your friends, or your own success if you will be joining.
Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu
Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton
